| Author | Message | ||
| Suniday |
We are celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary December 1, 2009. We can't decide which would be best: Couples Sandals Beaches We think we want to go to and adult only all-inclusive resort. We also thought about Los Cabos but everything looked very expensive!!! Any thoughts? | ||
| Chris |
Well, define NOT expensive... and you'll come up short, and you might be disappointed. I'd recommend looking at the inclusions at each. Ask yourself... which resort (chain or otherwise) offers the most. Then peruse the pictures. Which resort calls to you? Which comes nearest to your ideal? By the way, most of us here already know the answer to your first question... based on experience, we already know who offers the most value and the most inclusions. The rest is going to have to be up to you... Good luck! Chris | ||
| Blondie9093 |
Congratulations, what a great day you were married on, I will be celebrating my 50th that day. I would definitely choose Couples. Of all the adult only all-inclusives we have been to, all over the Caribbean, Couples is by far the best. The service, the food, the general atmosphere can not be beat. We have some friends that we travel with a lot and it has become a standing joke where ever we go, "You know Couples does this ..... better" We try to find something that the resort does better then Couples, but we always have a hard time finding something. You truly can not go wrong with Couples | ||
| Sandpspry |
After months of research I am now confident that we made the correct choice. My wife and I just returned from celebrating our 30th at Couples Negril. It was very romantic and exceeded all of our expectations - so much so that we are already planning a return trip. | ||
| Hippiegirl |
I was looking into all of these resorts before I booked my trip to Couples Negril. My fiance and I are planning on getting married there next April. I ordered brochures and talked to many people online and researched like crazy. All signs point to Couples. Everyone I spoke to said that Sandals made them uncomfortable and the staff members were rude. Beaches is a resort for kids and would be great if you planned on bringing the little ones along. If you are looking for laid back, Jamaican charm for adults only-- go for Couples. They have 4 different resorts to choose from to suit different tastes! Good Luck! | ||
| Jennny |
Couples is the way to go | ||
| Beckslaw |
Hi Suniday, Congrats on 30 years of Marriage!!! My hubby and I are going to jamaica in April 2010 for a destination wedding, and wanted to add on a few extra days just for ourselves. But where to stay?? Our destination had been chosen, so next we needed to decide what part of JA to stay for us. We picked a few 'things-to-do' that we wanted to incorporate. We wanted to do Dunn River Falls, also like to see where Columbus landed, the Marley museum, and maybe a swim with the dolphins. These were all located by Ocho Rios. Next we needed to decide on what kind of resort we were looking for. This also dictates what kind of vacation you want. We havent been on a beach vaca since 2002. So, #1-Relaxing in the sun very important, but we didnt want a 'spring break' feel. #2-A truely relaxing vaca is very important....so no kids. This narrowed down our choices considerably. Down to 2 resorts in Ocho Rios: Couples and another 'no kids' resort (not sure if I can name it here...Ill just call it the INN). Both looked amazing! Now we chose Couples CTI for many many reasons: 1. Adult Couples Only - No kids! 2. Beach, Beach, Pool, Pool, Beach.... 3. Tons of included excursions inc. Dunn River Falls, horseback riding, cat cruise, etc! 4. Transfers to and from the airport are also included. 5. 35 million in renovations just completed...it'll be like new! 6. A truly romantic getaway that is focused on you as a couple! 7. Couples is absolutely 'all-inclusive' no matter how much you eat or drink. There are no hidden charges like other places. 8. The Hot Deals for 2010 were amazing! Plus a $500 resort credit for the Spa and Gift Shop!! Extra pampering built right in to your vaca! Couples AI prices were cheaper than the other 'no-kids' place near ocho rios (the Inn was not AI either!) 9. By reading the posts here we were absolutely 110% positive that Couples resorts were right for us, and that CTI especially was what we are looking for!! Now by reading other posts here also, the other Coulples resorts in JA are amazing also. Each seems to have its own feel. Do your research into JA and what each resort has to offer and which ever one calls out to you and your hubby will be the right one! But Couples is the way to go!!! Hope this helps. Have a great time planning your Vacation and a Fantastic 30th Anniversary!!! rlaware@rochester.rr.com Becky | ||
| Cathyjoe |
Well I think everyone on this message board would agree that Couples would be your best choice. But what I can tell you from experience (family wedding) spending time with Elmo, Grover and Big Bird when you are not traveling with little children is the third tier of hell. | ||
| Vinniedebbie |
We celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary this past December at Couples CN. We fell in love with the place and the people. We also had a private dinner on the beach which was very romantic!!! | ||
| Kycouple |
Well everyone on this board is going to tell you Couples and I would have to agree. For the cost, what you get, the beauty of the resorts, and the wonderful staff at Couples you can't go wrong. The adult only all-inclusive is the only way to go if you don't have kids and want to celebrate in a romantic way. Congratulations on celebrating your 30th. | ||
| Angienkevin |
We have only been to Couples (Swept Away) for the past few years so I can't really say about the others. The first time we went we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a vow renewal on the beach and it was AMAZING! It is my understanding that Beaches is a family resort so there will be children there. We didn't even look at Sandals because I didn't hear positive things about it and it feels more commercial to me. I highly recommend Couples Swept Away, we will return for our 3rd time this December and doubt we'll try any other AI resort (maybe I can talk hubs into trying another Couples one but he's pretty much set on Swept Away). Choose Couples and you'll be happy you did. Angie | ||
| Amy |
Uh, seeing how this is the Couples message board, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that's going to be the only thing people recommend  You won't be sorry if you choose Couples! We've been to CTI, CN, CSS and are headed to CSA in 4 days. We won't go anywhere else! | ||
| Bruceandbrendafrompa |
The only response you will receive on this message board is COUPLES. There is no place on earth better. Once you go, you will know. We have been to other all-inclusive resorts because we wanted to visit other Caribbean islands, but now we come home to COUPLES and we LOVE JAMAICA. We renewed our wedding vows on our 30th anniversary on the beach at CN and it was wonderful. | ||
| Jamaicahound |
I have to say that Couples is the only real option from the choices you provided. You get a lot more for your money, and it generally costs the same or less (usually less) than those other 2 resorts. The staff at Couples are the best in Jamaica. The food is amazing. Couples has more inclusions (scuba, horse back riding, golf, water sports, Dunn's river fall (CTI and CSS): All this and more included in the price. And if you are looking for romance, Couples provides the most romantic atmosphere I have ever encountered. No one does it better. No one. Look around this board. Read the posts that the regulars post here. You will see an enthusiasm and loyalty that no other resort I know of can generate. Thats because a stay at a Couples really is an experience like no other. More over, its because the staff at Couples treats us like family. Those other resorts are nice, but they aren't Couples. Couples is in a class by itself. | ||
| Happytimes42 |
We went for the first time to CN for our 30th anniversary. Thought it would be our 1st and only trip. Needless to say, we have been back every year since. It is wonderful. I have never been to other resorts. | ||
| Redvan82 |
Beaches allows kids. Sandals is overpriced in our opinion. You have to upgrade your room about 6 levels before you get room service (if that matters to you). We enjoyed Blue Mountain coffee brought to our room every morning with some fruit & juice while taking in the lush grounds of both CN and CSS. We've been to both twice. We had our wedding vows renewed at CN for our 25th and are heading to CSS for our 30th in 11 days. Couples is all about romance and the size of their resorts makes it even more intimate. Some of the Sandals are quite large which gives it a colder feel. If you decide on CN, book an upper floor Garden Suite. It's the least expensive room category and the most beautiful sight you will see from your balcony. We had a "beachfront" room and asked to be moved on our first trip to CN. We were moved to building #4 and requested it our 2nd trip. Once you've been to Couples, you won't even think about another resort. Next year we might try CSA. Happy Anniversary and I hope this helped. | ||
| Lauriek |
Just returned from a weeks stay at Couples Sans Souci and it was wonderful. Resort has 150 rooms and they were at capacity but it was never crowded at the beach, pool, restaurants, etc. Have not stayed at either Sandals or Beaches but met many folks that had and they all said CSS was much nicer. Happy 30th! | ||
| Jamaicasherry |
We have been to Jamaica every year for our anniversary since 1995 (honeymoon included) but always went to a resort where anyone was welcome--not adults only. We are making our first trip to Couples in November after growing tired of all the kids running unattended where we used to go. I can't speak specifically for Couples since we haven't been yet but I can tell you a few things from a couple years of considering the Couples versus Sandals option... First you need to realize that Beaches is a resort owned by the same folks as Sandals and they are family oriented, there will be lots of kids, personally if you are planning to go for an anniversary and looking at either Sandals or Beaches I'd throw Beaches out of the running. Between Sandals and Couples I have had several friends that have been to Sandals and had a good time so I really can't say anything truly negative. However, if you read this message board for a while it might just sway you towards Couples, that's what happened to us. Also, compare the two websites and that will help you with your decision as well--see what's included at both. Couples is having some nice deals right now but you have to book by April 30 to get the sale prices so you might take that into consideration as well. I can tell you that those prices are not a gimmick. I am always suspicious of "sales" as I wonder if someone upped the price only to provide a "discount" but I have watched the price of our trip to Couples for the last couple of years while still booking at a different resort and this really is a sale. | ||
| 2havinfun |
Suniday, We will be celebrating our 30th Anniversary at CN on Dec 2! Would'nt want to be anywhere else. | ||
| Northern_gal |
We have only been to CSA so can't comment on the others, but the answer is COUPLES. CSA is the most amazing place on earth. We have been twice and are planning to do a vow renewal there for our 30th in 2011. | ||
| Smoothie19 |
Swept Away is truly PARADISE or any Couples for that matter.We have been to Swept Away 3 times,married there in 04 and we decided to try Sans Souci this year. You will not be dissapointed.It is all good! | ||
| Aurxdoc05 |
Well, I am going to go ahead and agree with everyone before me and say that COUPLES is the only choice! I have researched the other AI resorts and for reasons previously mentioned (Children allowed at B resort; Overpricing at the S resort; Over-commercialization at the S resort; etc.) we have always ended up back at Couples. The amenities and staff make Couples the ultimate relaxing and fun vacation. Now on to the real questions: Which Resort? Well, they are all fabulous and offer the same high-quality service, amenities and food, so choose the one that speaks the most to you and I promise you will not be disappointed. Which Room? In my past pricing experiences, I have noticed that even the most expensive rooms at Couples cost less the cheapest rooms at the resorts offered by the other AI company, so treat yourself if you so desire! However, after staying in several of the different room categories, I can say that you will enjoy any room you stay in. They say it about Jamaica in general, but I feel that it especially applies to Couples...Once you go, you know! | ||
| Stevekathy |
Couples Tower Isle without a doubt. We will be celebrating 40th at CTI. |